We're getting married

Bernie & Sharon

Sunday, April 18, 2027 · Time TBD

Pudong, Shanghai

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Chapter One

Our Story

Every love story is a little different. Here are a few of the moments that brought us to this one.

  1. Spring 2019

    First Meeting

    We met at a small coffee shop in the city. What was supposed to be a quick introduction turned into hours of conversation.

  2. Summer 2020

    Our First Trip

    A spontaneous road trip to the coast became the weekend we both knew this was something special.

  3. Winter 2022

    Moving In Together

    We built a home together, one mismatched piece of furniture at a time.

  4. Autumn 2025

    The Proposal

    On a quiet evening walk, surrounded by the ones we love, the answer was an easy yes.

Save the Date

The Details

The Evening Before

Meet & Greet

Sat · Apr 17

Join us the evening before for a relaxed welcome — a chance to say hi to friends and family as everyone arrives. Venue and timing details to come.

The Venue

Qiantan Taikoo Li

前滩太古里

Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China

View on Map
Ceremony

Time TBD

Reception

Following ceremony

Ceremony and reception both take place at Taikoo Li, with dinner and celebration immediately following. The specific space within the mall will be shared closer to the date.

Dress Code

Details to come — we'll share guidance closer to the date.

Plan Your Stay

Travel

A few hotels near the venue and tips to make the trip easy.

Airports

International flights land at Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) — ~40 km, 30–40 min by taxi, or Metro Line 2 transferring to Line 18 at Longyang Road. Most domestic flights use Hongqiao (SHA) — ~20 km, also 30–40 min by taxi. If you're connecting between the two, the new Airport Express (市域机场线) does PVG ↔ SHA in about 40 minutes.

Getting Around Shanghai

A short guide for anyone who hasn't been to mainland China recently: • Metro: Line 18 stops at 前滩 (Qiantan) Station, walking distance to Taikoo Li. Lines 6 / 8 / 11 also serve the neighborhood via Oriental Sports Center Station. Use the MetroMan or 地铁 Metro apps. • Taxis: download DiDi (滴滴) — English interface, pay in-app. Easier than flagging a cab. • Payments: Shanghai is almost entirely cashless. Install Alipay (支付宝) and/or WeChat Pay (微信支付) before you arrive and link a foreign Visa/Mastercard — both now support international cards for tourists. A small amount of RMB cash (¥200–500) is a useful backup. • Maps: AMap (高德地图) has an English mode and is accurate for transit and walking. Google Maps is unreliable in China; Apple Maps works reasonably well. • Internet: Google, Gmail, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube are blocked. Install a VPN (e.g. ExpressVPN, Astrill) before arrival if you want access. Alternatively, an international travel eSIM often routes around the firewall automatically. • Translation: Pleco is excellent for characters; Google Translate (with VPN) or Baidu Translate work for conversation.

Coming from abroad?

Getting into China

Most of our international guests will take one of three paths. Rules do change — please confirm with your local Chinese embassy or consulate before you book.

Option A

Up to 30 days

Visa-free entry

Passport holders from around 48 countries can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days. This includes the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, most of Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Portugal, Ireland, and more), Brazil, and Argentina.

How it works

  1. 1 Hold a valid ordinary passport from an eligible country
  2. 2 Have a confirmed onward or return ticket
  3. 3 Fly in — no application required

Policy is currently valid through Dec 31, 2026. It has been extended several times and is widely expected to continue, but please verify closer to your travel dates.

See the full country list
Option B

Up to 10 days (240 hours)

Visa-free transit

Citizens of 55 countries — including the United States, and also the UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, and all Schengen countries — can transit visa-free through China for up to 240 hours, provided you're flying onward to a third country or region. Hong Kong, Macau, and Singapore all count as a "third region."

How it works

  1. 1 Onward ticket to a third country/region within 10 days (e.g. US → Shanghai → Tokyo, or US → Shanghai → Hong Kong → US)
  2. 2 Tell your airline at check-in that you'll use the 240-hour transit policy
  3. 3 Request the free Temporary Entry Permit at the visa-free transit desk when you land

Works at both Shanghai Pudong (PVG) and Hongqiao (SHA). This is the most popular option for US guests — pair the wedding with a stop in Tokyo, Seoul, or Hong Kong and skip the visa paperwork entirely.

Policy details from the Chinese Embassy
Option C

Tourist (L) visa

Apply for a tourist visa

If neither option above fits your situation — or you'd like to stay longer or enter without onward travel — apply for a standard tourist L-visa. As of 2024, the process is much simpler: US applicants no longer need invitation letters, hotel bookings, or round-trip tickets.

How it works

  1. 1 Complete the online application at China's COVA portal
  2. 2 Submit your passport and printed form in person (or via agent) at your local Chinese Visa Application Service Center
  3. 3 Pick up your passport in roughly 4 business days (express service often available)

Fingerprints are currently waived for most applicants through 2026. Fees vary by country ($140 for US citizens at time of writing). We'd recommend applying 1–2 months before your trip for a comfortable buffer.

Start your application (COVA)
Good to Know

Questions

A few answers to common questions. Can't find what you're looking for? Just ask us directly.

What time should I arrive?

The exact ceremony time is still being finalized. We'll share the full schedule here and in your invitation as the date gets closer.

Is there a dress code?

Details to come — we'll post guidance here and in your invitation once it's set.

How do I get to the venue?

Qiantan Taikoo Li (前滩太古里) is easy to reach by metro: take Shanghai Metro Line 18 to 前滩 (Qiantan) Station, a short walk to the mall. Lines 6, 8, and 11 also serve the neighborhood via Oriental Sports Center Station. DiDi (滴滴) is the easiest way to taxi in. Parking in central Pudong is limited, so we recommend the metro or a DiDi over driving.

Do I need a visa to come to China?

Probably not — many passport holders can now enter visa-free for up to 30 days (UK, most of Europe, Australia, Japan, Korea, Canada, and more), and US guests can typically use the 240-hour visa-free transit if flying onward. See the visa guide above for the three common paths and links to start an application if needed, and always verify with your local Chinese consulate before booking.

How do I pay for things in Shanghai?

Shanghai is almost entirely cashless. Before you arrive, install Alipay (支付宝) and/or WeChat Pay (微信支付) and link your international Visa or Mastercard — both now support foreign cards for tourists. Keep ¥200–500 in cash as a backup. Most hotels and larger restaurants also accept foreign credit cards directly.

Will I have internet access?

Google, Gmail, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube are blocked on local networks. If you rely on them, install a VPN (ExpressVPN, Astrill, etc.) before you arrive — downloading one inside China is much harder. Many international travel eSIMs also bypass the firewall automatically, which is another great option.

Can I bring a plus one?

We're keeping the celebration intimate. Please refer to your invitation for who is invited; if you have a plus one, they will be listed there.

Are kids welcome?

We love your little ones, but we've chosen to keep the ceremony and reception an adults-only event so that everyone can relax and celebrate.

What's the best way to RSVP?

Through our RSVP form below. Please respond by February 28, 2027, so we can finalize the headcount with our venue.

Who can I contact with other questions?

Feel free to reach out to us directly — we're happy to help with travel, logistics, or anything else.

Join Us

Will you be there?

Please let us know by February 28, 2027. We can't wait to celebrate with you.

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